Sally DeFord Music
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When Mary Sang Her Lullaby

MP3 recording with vocals by Heather Prusse:  (dialup) (hi-speed) (download)    CD:  Promised Savior, Promised King
MP3 Minus (accompaniment only) track: (dialup) (hi-speed) (download)    CD:  Promised Savior, Promised King--Accompaniment Tracks

View/print sheet music:      Medium Voice Solo     Low Voice Solo     SSA

    I love the beautiful symbolism in these familiar lines...

    Raise, raise the song on high
    The virgin sings her lullaby

    ...in which the image of Mary singing a lullaby represents the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. Did Mary really sing to the Christ Child? Well, we don't know, though being a mother myself, I rather assume she did. But the lullaby is a symbol for something greater. Likewise, in my 1999 Christmas card carol I have attempted to use Mary's lullaby as a symbol for the coming of Christ as the Babe of Bethlehem, who would indeed "comfort all the world."

      Lyrics:

      Darkness fell o'er Bethlehem at last
      And hastened weary travelers to their rest
      The empty streets all silent,
      All silent was the night
      All silent 'neath the star of stars aglow with heaven's light

      Then Mary sang her lullaby of love
      And cradled in her arms the Holy Child
      In that poor and lowly place
      Hallowed by his grace
      'twas a lullaby to comfort all the world

      Darkness fell o'er shepherds in the fields
      Till heaven's joyful tidings were revealed
      The angels' song of glory
      Re-echoed o'er the plains
      While in a stable, soft and low, a sweeter song remained

      For Mary sang her lullaby of love
      And cradled in her arms the Holy Child
      In that poor and lowly place
      Hallowed by his grace
      'twas a lullaby to comfort all the world

      When darkness falls and night besets my soul
      Her gentle song still sings of brighter hope
      Above the voice of sorrow
      Beyond all bitter tears
      Echoes of that lullaby linger through the years

      When Mary sang her lullaby of love
      And cradled in her arms the Holy Child
      In that poor and lowly place
      Hallowed by his grace
      'twas a lullaby to comfort all the world